BIG RAPIDS – Delicious food, unique dance steps and diverse music are
just a few features of Ferris State University’s 22nd annual
International Festival of Cultures from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 11, in
the Rankin Student Center Dome Room.

The festival,
Ferris’ signature international event of the year, provides a platform
for the University’s international students, faculty and staff to create
an environment for learning about different cultures through food,
entertainment, crafts, shopping and more. Open to the campus and public,
the festival is an opportunity to experience international flavor
without having to travel abroad. This year’s festival features more than
25 stations representing countries from Asia, Latin America, the Middle
East, Europe, Africa and North America. Each table will distinguish
itself with unique dishes. Tickets for tastings are 50 cents per sample.
Ferris students can bring their student ID card and receive three free
tastings at the event.

Luzia Tartari, coordinator of
international student recruiting at Ferris, sees the festival as an
event that exposes the public to Ferris’ diverse international
community. Tartari shared that the theme of this year’s festival is "One
World, Many Faces."

"This is always a special and fun
event for our international students who put in a lot of work and
preparation," said Tartari, who estimates approximately 2,000 people
typically attend the festival. "The students begin preparing their
dishes several days in advance and take a lot of pride in cooking these
traditional dishes."

Students and staff traveled to
Chicago and Grand Rapids to obtain ingredients, including some specific
spices, that are required to prepare their food.

A
highlight of this year’s festival will be the opportunity to buy fair
trade products from Ten Thousand Villages. Ten Thousand Villages is an
organization that purchases handcrafted items at fair prices from
artisans around the world and sells them throughout the U.S.

Shana
Beisiegel, administrative assistant in Ferris’ International Center,
believes the sale of international products should create additional
excitement this year and enhance an appreciation for different cultures.

"This
is going to be an awesome opportunity for those who will be attending
the International Festival of Cultures," Beisiegel said. "There will be a
lot of cool opportunities to purchase unique items that are not as
easily available."

An international crafts room will be
set up for children attending the event to make international
souvenirs. Children also will have an opportunity to take shots at a
piñata. This year’s festival will feature international dancers, singers
and musicians to provide entertainment along with multiple fashion
shows.

Jill Jepsen, a visiting professor of art at Ferris, will be doing face painting, according
to Beisiegel.

For more information on the International Festival of Cultures, the International
Center or other upcoming events, visit www.ferris.edu/international.

Anyone with questions regarding this event, please contact Shana Beisiegel at (231)
591-2824 or at beisies@ferris.edu.